tgloersen

I'm going on a CAS cruise this Saturday, i'll report back on the drink cards.

49 minutes ago, floridafish said:

I mainly play craps and I've never received one offer from NCL. 

Exactly!

I will be on the Escape in 17 days.  Docs indicate the following

Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal 10
9005 Charles Rowland Drive
Port Canaveral, FL 32920

We did Getaway for Xmas week.  Upon boarding, Buffet, Taste and O'Sheehan's were open.

For the non-Haven cruiser, i just bring some nice premium pods.  Ask for one of there coffee makers and i'm off to the races.  I can care less about Starbucks, never really likes it and its ridiculously expensive.

Yes you can request, i really don't like the coffee they supply, so i buy some pods from Amazon and bring them with me.

I just got off the Getaway last week was in a club balcony.  I can confirm that my bathrook did in fact have a shelf comes out about 3 inches.

On 12/18/2023 at 10:30 PM, bluesea777 said:

Windows Main Dining Room (deck 6 aft) requires men to wear long pants, but the secondary MDR Taste (dec 6 mid) doesn't.

 

 

Been on the ship, and shorts in the MAIN MDR is fine, but don't bring a hat.  They don't like that.

We enjoy the thermo spa, but depends on the itinerary on whether we purchase or not.

On 7 days cruise we will get if its a cold whether cruise where we might be indoor more often than out.  This being a AK trip we would definitely get it.  Any cruises 10 days or more is an automatic for us.

We have never found any problems getting loungers in the SPA.  Remember even though they sell out not everyone is in there at the same time. 

On rare occasions (especially sea days) it can get busy.  We find that 10-2 is usually the busiest so we will go early or later on those days.  But really even though its busy there are still loungers to be had.  At least in our experience.

19 hours ago, RaiderFaninNM said:

It's called gathering new business, aka money!!!

Ask Virgin why???😉

Exactly....👍

Ha, fat finger that one!!!🤣

Agree with al lof this!

25 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

I have looked a Virgin a few times.  Nothing that caught my eye as far as cruises I'd want.

 

May book them, but haven't been compelled to yet.

$200 Bar credit??

10 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Why would you give away status that lol customers earned???

Bird obviously is not in marketing.  Its a way to attract business.

19 hours ago, david_sobe said:

Calm down.  I was simply stating the bidding process gets NCL top dollar.  

I agree Dave, i think this new process is all about NCL getting top dollar. I do think there are select cruiser out there were circumstances may have change or are willing to pay more than list to get a Haven.  I'm not one of them but i believe they exist.

I put in what i think its worth, if not good enough the CB is fine for me.

Yah that's what i figured.  When i bid, i bid the most im willing to pay so they are not going to get me to edge up.  As GraphicGuy says, the more you bid the less its worth it as you could easily upgrade for less in some cases.  I don't believe a Xmas cruise falls on this thinking as the Haven's were north of 10K for an H9 and the upwards of 20K+ for the 2 bedroom and the DOS.  SO i could bid more but there is just a line I draw and that line is defined when i put my original bid in.

The Havens are nice been in them a handful of times, but i'm not spending 10K to get one, i would rather cruise more often.  If i dont win my Club Balcony will serve us just fine.

Just as an FYI, Lunch menus for the MDR are on a 3 day rotation.

Has anyone else, who is bidding on upgrades noticed that NCL is now opening certain cabin type as a real auction.  I received multiple emails from NCL saying that i have been out bid and they are giving me the opportunity to raise my bid.  Att he same time it tells you how many are bidding on a certain cabin type and if you revised bid is outbid.

Has anyone been successful in raising their bid enough to be high bidder?

13 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

All cruise lines have a wealth of extras you can drop your coin on.  Personally, I find Carnival's "Faster to the Fun" charges crazy. You mean I have to pay Carnival for the privilege of getting on board sooner to spend more money first before everyone else?  Sure..that sounds like a great idea.  No intent in demeaning Carnival cruisers who like it.  I just don't get it.

 

Royal's START CLASS cabins are crazy expensive.  You think the Haven costs a lot?  Go look at the similar Royal Star Class Suites.

 

NCL has their own dollar extraction methods.  We all know what they are.  

 

There was a brouhaha on these boards recently because NCL changed out the FAS+ Champagne from one brand for another.  I think that discussion went on for pages and pages with outrage.  Seriously?

 

I like the FAS package.  They have the bourbons, vodkas, gins, beers, etc that I like.  If they don't have a particular one, I'll move to another.  It's not worth it to get all bent about.

 

I used to like the VIBE.....when it was $69/pp.  I could kind of see the value in that.  Private area to hang out, no crowded hot tubs to contend with.  Then, NCL raised the price...A LOT......over a relatively short period of time.  I don't know what they charge currently, but last I looked it would be ~$250 for the VIBE.  Not something I'm willing to pay THAT much for.  Not sure what that nets me other than some couches and a bartender who's fun to hang with.  Plus, the last time I was in the VIBE, it turned into a mini crazy drunk fest like you'd find around the main pool area....just with fewer drunks.  But, perhaps it's changed.  It's been a while for me.

 

Depending in itinerary, the Thermal Spa may or may not be attractive to me.  If it's the typical Caribbean/Mexico/Bahamas cruise, where I'll be outside most of the time, not attractive.  I did sign up for it on my last Canadian cruise.  It was in the Fall.  Days were sunny and nice.  But, it got chilly in the late afternoon.  I enjoyed retreating to the Thermal Spa for those times.  

 

I know people who feel the Haven is way too expensive.  I tend to agree most of the time.  But, if I find a good deal on a Haven fare, I'll snag it every time.  It trumps the VIBE, the Thermal Spa, extra charges for extra Specialty Restaurants, etc. It includes all of that and adds the Butler, the Concierge nicer cabins, nicer places to just hang out.  But, even there, I see people talking about spending high 4 figures and 5 figures for the Haven.  Not happening with me.

 

I'm retired.  But, my old company asks me to do contact work every once in a while.  At first, I tried 20 hours/week.  Didn't like that as it still seemed I was working full time given their projects and deadlines.  Rejected doing that.  I told them they could find someone cheaper than me to do the projects and they certainly could find someone younger.  They kept coming back to me.  Finally, I told them I won't work more than a week at a time and never back to beck weeks.  We came to an understanding.  I have my retirement and my contract work for "play" money (including cruise fares).

Yah again i agree with all your points.  I been in HAven a few times and loved every minute.  What i don't like is the price.  There are people that will pay those extreme prices and hey if it suits them go for it.  For me i'm like you if i can get a deal on a bid up or even a straight out purchase if the price is right i'll go for it.

Comes down to how often i like to cruise which is 2 -3 cruises a year.  I simply cannot afford Haven with that many cruises a year, so i stick to the Club Balcony's, totally fine for me and i cruise more often.

Yah as said earlier the SPA id my place i like to hang during the day as i cannot take in to much sun do to my cancer.  But like you said if its just a 7 day common Carrib cruise, i usually will bypass for those.

12 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Thanks for walking us through it.  You kind of reflect my feelings about Moderno and Tepenyaki.  I do like Modernos's salad bar.  The meats?  I am like you....not my fave.  Teppanyaki....have eaten at those types of restaurants many times.  They're all about the same.  You pay for the show.  Although, they do a nice "non fried" calamari.

 

I vacillate....sometimes I'll go all out if I find a deal on the Haven ($4,500 or less).  But, I've been known to cheap out, too.  A year ago last Fall I found a New England/Canada cruise.  ~$800 all in with FAS.

 

Never found the value in the VIBE.  I can always find a bar that's not crowded and am always able to find a seat somewhere outdoors, particularly on the -Away and Away plus ships.  But, I know I'm in the minority.

 

My good friend @ChiefMateJRK is a pro at finding $100 (or less)/nite cruises.

I'm with you the VIBE does not do it for us, but to be fair we are not SUN worshippers and i definitely would not get it to get to a bar that's not busy.  There are plenty of bars to get drinks from i never really have a problem.  Especially if you have a favorite, flip the guy a $20 when you first get ont he ship and see the difference it makes when you looking for a drink with others around.  The bartenders know who there cash cows are.

We personally make good use of the therapy pool aft the SPA so we usually spring for those passes on 10 day or longer cruises.

2 hours ago, julig22 said:

Who is they?  If his confirmation says that he requested (and paid for) RT, then they will find him a flight. In my experience, the air department staff doesn't have a lot of leeway with respect to solving issues.  However, in the past, a very polite and carefully worded email to katty byrd got my flight issues resolved almost immediately.

Well Ok,

They are "NCL"

And yes the confirmation did show round trip flights, and the story goes on under 65 days no changes.  Sorry you can root for NCL all you want here but they failed big time.  He was not asking for changes just what was promised and they told him to pound sand.

Next?

Try this one on for size!

My buddy booked a cruise that included round trip air fare.  He gets his air docs and finds out that they only booked him for a flight home and not a flight to the ship.

They tell him nothing they can do as its below 65 days until sailing and just left him hanging after peaking with management. Thats BS was not his fault but they did not care.  Just kept stonewalling with no change under 65 days!  First and last ime for him on NCL, can't really blame him.

Like the other post says the free or so called free airfare just not worth it.  I myself booked my own flights, not with the headaches!  Shouldn't have to be that way though.

18 hours ago, cruiser2015 said:

Perfect!.

Thanks, tgloersen.

I'm guessing this is for your Christmas cruise.

That's quite a price drop. 

Enjoy your cruise!!

 

 

Thank you and yes it is, this cruise was really expensive at booking but i figured that was do to Xmas and New Years during the same cruise.  Yah the lady at NCL was surprised too, when she did the check for the "Price Drop Department".

Even at 40 days out the Havens are still close to $20K for a Penthouse Suite.  Man all the power to those that can afford that.  I'll just rely on my bid 🙂

29 minutes ago, cruiser2015 said:

I just got a notice from my TA saying that Black Friday deals are now available. So, I checked pricing for my January cruise 

I have an MB cabin. Closest listed is an MC. Adjusting for that small difference, there is a reduction of about $720.

If I can get a FCC for the price drop, how long is the certificate valid?

I searched the NCL site and could not find anything except for their POM program (not applicable here).

I literally just received one this morning,  Below is te detail of the email i received obviously removing any personal info, but you get the gist.

Thank you for your inquiry. 

Upon review of current rates for your sailing, we have identified a price drop in the amount of $1400.

As a one-time goodwill gesture, we have created 100% of that amount as future cruise credits for you, as outlined below:

Please note, our terms and conditions include, but are not limited to the following: Your future cruise credits (FCCs) will become active upon completion of your current sailing and will be valid for sailings within 12 months from the scheduled date of debarkation. FCCs are non-transferable and have no cash value. They cannot be applied to government taxes and fees, airfare, travel protection, hotel packages, and other add-ons. They are valid only as a discount off of the published voyage fare. FCCs are only applicable towards sailings six days or longer. FCCs are issued to guests 1 and 2 on the reservation only. Guests who cancel their reservation prior to sailing will have their FCCs deactivated from their client profile.

Thank you for choosing Norwegian Cruise Line, we look forward to welcoming you aboard soon!

On 11/9/2023 at 11:18 AM, tgloersen said:

Huge drop for my Xmas cruise on Getaway.  My cabin went down $1300!  On phone with NCL now they are setting me up with a future cruise credit as a curtsey.

As a follow up, i was able to secure $1400 FCC to apply to may next cruise in March.  Just a 7 day Carrib, most of that trip was paid for by Ballys Casino, i upgraded that to a Club Balcony.  SO my cost after the upgrade was $1500 all in!.  Now with the $1400 FCC my cost out of pocket is $100 bucks.  Totally worth 15 minutes of my time.

The cruise ship operator is seeing healthy demand but is still in the process of cutting costs. As a result, management issued earnings guidance for next quarter that came in below the Street's consensus expectation, sending the stock down.

I actually bought Lavazza coffee pods and take them with me.  they work in the coffee makers they bring to the cabin (Must RequesT Coffee Maker).  Much better coffee, yes i paid for these but way .......way cheaper than Starbucks!  I think i pay $9 for enough coffee on a 7 day cruise!